Broadstairs stepped back in time as colourful characters strolled out for the start of the town’s annual Dickens Festival.

Chimney sweeps, Victorian policemen and Dickensian ladies were among those who trod the same path as the town’s most famous resident, Charles Dickens.

Organisers of the six-day event, which has been held most years since 1936, have planned a packed programme of entertainment.

The festivities began on Saturday with a grand parade from the war memorial to Victoria Gardens, followed by productions of Oliver and The Young David Copperfield at the Sarah Thorne Theatre Club and Broadstairs Pavilion respectively.

Other attractions include a daily Victorian country fair, a nostalgic collection of postcards and prints entitled 'Bygone Broadstairs’ and walks around the seaside town with local historian Peter Shaw.

Local schoolchildren will also play a host of small concerts and the festival will culminate with a spectacular Grand Gala Ball at the Pavilion on Wednesday.

Cllr Bill Peppiatt, chairman of the Broadstairs Dickens Festival Committee, said: “We had an extremely good start to the week, with great weather and an excellent turn out, despite competition from Margate’s Big Event.

“After all these years, the festival never fails to impress and we’ve had lots of favourable comments from residents and visitors alike.

“It’s great to see so many young people taking part too. I think they were fascinated to learn what Broadstairs and their school days would have been like back in Dickens’ day.”